the issues are huge, not just education which we just did, but of course the economy. now we see foreign policy becoming more a part of the election. so i think it's fascinating to cover a presidential election. >> sure. >> it's a privilege. and i think for us i'm sure that's one of the reasons you got into journalism. it's certainly one of the reasons i did. >> absolutely. another element of that election, though, was the sarah palin factor which you covered. what was that like? >> i covered sarah palin almost from the very beginning. my bosses called me and said, you know what, get to alaska. we want you to be in alaska by the time sarah palin delivers her address to the republican national convention, which was that following week. and from that point forward, i was covering sarah palin. she came back to alaska on her campaign plane. at that point i jumped on and we flew around for the next whatever it was, couple months. it was a very interesting time, and interesting story. here's somebody who is so new to the national scene. but i will say, and this is something